JBER Airman dies on training mission in Korea

A 23-year-old Airman stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson died Nov. 6 while training in the Republic of Korea.

According to a press release, Airman 1st Class Darrick Jones joined the Air Force in 2015. He was on temporary assignment in Korea when he collapsed and died.

“Airmen with Jones at the time immediately rendered aid but were unable to revive him,” read the release.

Jones was a water and fuels systems apprentice assigned to the 773rd Civil Engineering Squadron.

According to local media accounts, Jones was an honors student who grew up in South Florida. He graduated from Southridge High in Miami, where according to a report by CBS Miami, Jones was a well-liked member of the school’s track and cross country running teams who was very active in the school community.

“Every single picture he has in the yearbook, someone’s on his shoulder at the pep rally,” teacher Tania Dias told the station.

The press release said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of death.